Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2000

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities do not warrant evaluations in excess of 10 percent or restoration to a 20 percent evaluation, respectively.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected lower back pain with degenerative disc disease is granted, effective from January 10, 1996. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date remains denied.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain with arthritis, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his period of active duty.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, which is more than the current 40 percent rating.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, but notes that this decision is based on incorrect information and requests additional records to be obtained. The case is remanded for further development.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, which is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the claim.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disorder, but did not specify whether some issues were granted or denied.

The Board denied service connection for back disability, left knee disability, and increased evaluations for the service-connected disabilities. The veteran's claims of right knee disability were not supported by competent evidence showing that they are plausible or capable of substantiation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, right ear infection, bilateral hip disabilities, bilateral leg disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities are not well-grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current conditions and his military service, including his service in the Persian Gulf War. The claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent since May 5, 1999. Prior to that date, the disability was rated as noncompensable.

The Board finds that there is competent medical evidence of a nexus between the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and service, thus finding the claim well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a liver disorder and a lumbosacral spine disorder, as well as his claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board finds that the veteran's claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the establishment of service connection for a back disability is granted, with the effective date being April 25, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that his condition only warrants a 20 percent rating based on mild to moderate limitation of spinal motion.

The Board found that the veteran's back disability did not worsen during her active duty service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, headache disorder, hypertension, and left knee disorder are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury leading to these conditions.